Winner: 2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

Posted by Jim Volgarino on Jan 27, 2014 in Shows & Events, Vintage Rides | 0 comments

2014 Grand National Roadster Show AMBR Winner

Results are in!

 

2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Winner: 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton owned by Wes Rydell

 

As always, for any picture: Click to see the full-size image.

2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster

In MyRideisMe.com’s 7th year at the Grand National Roadster Show, we successfully picked the winner again. (To see the other 2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Contenders click here) There’s no doubt all 11 hot rods were great builds by passionate owners, but when looking for true beauty in a roadster, this 1935 Chevy Phaeton is another masterpiece!

 

It took about 30 years for Wes Rydell to finally put together his 1935 Chevy Standard Phaeton, a rare 4-door that has been around his Rydell Toy Shop in Grand Forks, North Dakota just waiting for the right touch. The 2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster got that touch not only from designer Chip Foose, but Rydell enlisted builder Troy Trepanier to complete the understated “driver” as he described the AMBR winner during last weekend’s 65th Annual Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California.

 

 

 

To see all Grand National Roadster Show Coverage click here – 7 years worth!

 

In answer to the question about what prompted his getting the car completed, Rydell said, “I wanted it to be drivable. Something I could haul the wife around in with some comfort so we went with independent suspension, air, power, the regular stuff.”

 

So did Rydell go to Foose to have it designed? “Nah,” he said, winking. “He came to me.”

 

 

This understated masterpiece follows up Foose’s first Rydell creation, Grandmaster, the 2002 Ridler Memorial Award winning 1935 Chevrolet Master Two-Door Sedan which was Foose’s very first Ridler honor.  Now Rydell can add an AMBR award to his personal collection thanks to Foose’s vision and some incredible Rad Rides attention to detail. Rydell deserves some credit too… as he said, ‘This isn’t my first time at the rodeo.”

 

 

 

The “Black Bow Tie” phaeton is indeed an understatement. No flashy undercarriage or engine bay. Small block Chevy, vintage injection assembly, and mostly what looks to be powder coat and paint. It just looks too simple and elegant to be a show car contender, but it’s just what Rydell wanted and it seems to fit what is reported to be only 1 of 219 Chevrolet Phaetons built in 1935.

 

 

The next stop before the car hits the road (the actual road!) is when Trepanier accompanies it to the Detroit Autorama in March when Troy and Rad Rides by Troy are honored as Builder of the Year, according to Rydell.

 

 

After only driving the car just a bit, Rydell explained, just to move it inside the Pomona Fairplex building and for judging, Rydell says it all if you’re a true hot rod fan: “I’m excited to get it out and drive it.”

 

Did the judges pick the right hot rod roadster as the 2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster? Your comments, discussion, gripes and moans are all welcome! Nothing seems to bring up more controversy than the AMBR award winner!